All-Volunteer MBA Project Honored by United Way, Green Bay Packers

WAUKESHA, Wis. - April 8, 2014 - PRLog -- The United Way in Waukesha County will award special recognition to a philanthropic initiative of the Metropolitan Builders Association this week, just months after the MBA project was honored by one of the most iconic organizations in Wisconsin.

The United Way will name the MBA as its “Volunteer Group of the Year” for an exhaustive remodeling project at a Waukesha home owned by The Women’s Center Inc. The project was spearheaded by Ron Klassen, CCP, CAPS, owner and Lead Designer of Wallner Builders.

The MBA’s work for The Women’s Center completely renovated a large, century-old Victorian home from a five-bedroom residence into an upper-lower duplex with separate entrances.

Klassen, as Chair of the MBA Remodelers Council, led a team of more than 100 MBA members in the all-volunteer project. He devoted countless hours for design, scheduling, fund-raising and recruiting skilled workers. Those involved uncovered daunting challenges at every turn.

When he assumed leadership of the Women’s Center project, which spanned nine months, Klassen never dreamt the undertaking would be honored by no less than the Green Bay Packers, possibly the most famous organization in Wisconsin. The team bestowed its “Community Quarterback Award (http://www.packers.com/news-and-events/article-1/Packers-...)” to the MBA in November.

“The renovation of this old five-bedroom home into a fully-updated duplex will mean that The Women’s Center will be able to provide safe and secure housing to more families who are victims of domestic violence while they participate in our two-year Transitional Living Program,” said Angela Mancuso, Executive Director of The Women’s Center.

The roof of the aged house was raised to accommodate new rooms. Long, heavy support beams were added beneath both the first and second floors. Special fire safety construction was needed between the two duplex units. An entire kitchen and bathroom were added on the second floor. All appliances were replaced. Amid the many changes, the home’s Victorian-era feel was maintained, in one case by relocating four decorative pillars on the first floor.

“As lengthy, challenging and all-encompassing as this project was, everyone involved should feel a tremendous sense of accomplishment for a true community success,” Klassen said. He estimated that market value of the donated labor and materials totaled more than $350,000.

Founded in 1975, Wallner Builders (http://wallner-builders.com/contact-us/) offers professional, innovative home remodeling and design services for clients throughout southeastern Wisconsin. Its motto, “You have a dream … Let’s build on it,” reflects the company’s goal of creating living environments that reflect its customers’ highest aspirations.